An Empirical Study of HomePlug AV2 PowerLine Performance in Real-World Residential Electrical Networks

Szilágyi, Szabolcs (2026) An Empirical Study of HomePlug AV2 PowerLine Performance in Real-World Residential Electrical Networks. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Applied Informatics. Líceum Kiadó, Eger, pp. 244-256. ISBN 9789634963271

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Abstract

PowerLine Communication (PLC) represents a class of wired communication technologies that leverage existing low- and medium-voltage electrical wiring to transmit high-frequency modulated data signals, enabling network connectivity without the need for dedicated cabling. While PLC has gained significant traction as a practical alternative to Wi-Fi extenders and Ethernet cabling for in-home broadband distribution, empirical evidence on its real-world performance – particularly under diverse electrical topologies and noise conditions—remains limited. This paper presents a controlled measurement study of a commercial HomePlug AV2 1000 Mbps kit (TP-Link TL-WPA8631P + TL-PA8010P), operated exclusively in wired Ethernet mode with Wi-Fi disabled. We evaluate throughput and jitter across multiple residential scenarios, including same-phase baseline measurements, the use of power strips, and the presence of electromagnetic interference (EMI) sources. Our findings show that although the data throughput provided by PLC technology falls short of the rates advertised by vendors, it is nevertheless capable of maintaining stable communication over distances of several tens of meters. Jitter remains at a negligible level, which makes the technology suitable for multimedia transmission. Furthermore, neither the use of power-strip extensions nor the presence of electromagnetic interference introduces any substantial degradation in PLC-based data delivery. These results highlight both the progress and the constraints inherent to PLC systems, providing useful insights for smart-home integrators and emphasizing how strongly PLC performance depends on the characteristics of a home’s electrical network.

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